P ♰ C

by Jean Allen

Last week we heard about Jesus sending his apostles out to heal the sick and raise the dead etc. The Gospel for this week is a continuation of his instructions and it would seem he was not only instructing them as to what to do in the mission he had just given them but also in their whole lifelong missions as apostles. Just previously to this week’s text, Jesus was telling them that they would be “handed over to local councils and be flogged in the synagogues on my account”. We know that in this present mission that didn’t happen – at least it was not recorded. The apostles came back flying high from their successes. But we do know that, in their lifetimes, they were brought before the authorities and were flogged, stoned and crucified.

When these things occurred, they no doubt remembered Jesus’s words of instruction about how things would go for them but, at the same time, they would have now been baptized in the Holy Spirit and empowered by him. When Jesus initially spoke the words, they may have created consternation and some fear within the apostles but, when filled with the power of the Spirit, the words would have been comforting and enabling. The apostles would have felt the presence of Jesus within them and felt emboldened and re-commissioned and they would have known that they were indeed in the powerful hands of the living God.

It is critical in the spiritual life to not feel that every single word spoken by a priest or read from the Gospels pertains to us immediately. The scripture says that for everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. The main thing to realize is who is in control – and it’s not you. Yes, there may be times when your spiritual walk is dangerous or creates great suffering but it’s not your responsibility to decide when those times will or might be.

Wait for the season and grace will be yours.